Allardyce hails goal hero Ricketts

Allardyce said: "Michael's goals were two superb finishes. It is usually the case that once a striker gets the one he goes on to get a few in a short space of time.

"That's happened to him and I am really pleased. It was the calm, collective Michael Ricketts again. He looked confident in scoring.

"To be honest, I thought he may have lost some confidence as he was snatching at chances. But he hasn't shirked the responsibility when he's had a chance.

"Not too many in the game can finish with a header like that - probably only Alan Shearer.

"Then he showed coolness when he latched on to a backpass and slotted it into the bottom corner."